Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 12

By Taualofa Totu’a & Penina Momoiseā

A new generation of Moana artists across the diaspora are redefining innovation, using social media platforms to build communities, market their work and support other budding creatives online. There’s room for everyone and all are original - from 3D collages to energetic illustrations, to calendars and skillful art prints. Join the growing audiences of Pacific artists this Xmas and support their work! 

If you’re still stuck on what to gift for your loved ones, order a personalised commissioned piece by talented local Samoan illustrator Kerilyn Clarke, or opt for Fijian artist James Sanday's pacific patterns.

Read on to see where to get the best art for your own fale or for your loved one’s this Xmas season.  

- 

PACIFIC WEAVE, FLAGS, MAPS & CREATURES OF THE PACIFIC!

Who: Pac Art by James Sanday 

Pac Art is the work of Fijian-Rotuman artist James Sanday. He moved to New Zealand as a child, bringing the patterns and lines of the Pacific Islands with him.…more

The whole of New Zealand will move to Red in the Covid-19 Protection Framework aka Traffic Lights from 11.59pm, Sunday 23rd January due to the Omicron variant now circulating in Auckland and possibly the Nelson-Marlborough region.  

We've put together a quick reference guide below on the different traffic light settings in case you need a reminder of what life at each of the settings are.  

* Reminder - The red light setting is not a lockdown.  Get boosted before the virus becomes widespread.

-

LIFE AT RED 

Swipe through for more 

- 

LIFE AT ORANGE 

Swipe through for more 

- 

LIFE AT GREEN 

Swipe through for more 

-

My Vaccine Pass is a key component in the Traffic Light System.

You are legally required to provide your My Vaccine Pass to enter places that have vaccination requirements in place under the traffic light system.…more

A church that has been considered anti-vax hosted a vaccination event today to encourage their remaining unvaccinated members to get their first dose, as well as attempt to dismiss the anti-vax perception attached to the church.

Church leaders and members of the Tokaikolo ‘Ia Kalaisi church in Māngere Bridge line the entrance way to the church waving the Tongan flag as cars beep and people wave while driving past. A speaker is set up on the front lawn of a house nearby, blasting music out to the neighbourhood. The Niuean, Fiji and Cook Islands flags are being waved too, “I’m not even Cook Island” laughs the flag bearer as more cars beep, and others drive in to wait in line for their vaccination.

The large majority of church members have already been vaccinated, says Frank Koloi, the marketing and communications manager for The Fono. 

“This church has been perceived in mainstream New Zealand as well as the Tongan community as not supportive, or anti-vaxxers.…more

-

Whose Your Name? - Tamaiti O Le Pasifika Class - Wainuiomata Intermediate School

Every name has a story. The 'Whose Your Name?' book project brings together pieces of writing from the Tamaiti o le Pasifika vasega, a Pasifika enrichment class at Wainuiomata Intermediate School.…more

Writer Taualofa Totu'a has put together a list of books by Pacific authors that we think your children and young people will love AND would also make great gifts - if you're looking for ideas for birthdays, achievements and more ... .

- 

For our imaginative kids 

My Gagana Samoa Series 1 - by Dahlia Malaeulu and illustrated by Darcy Solia 

All 3 stories in the first series: Malia Shares, Lagi Spies and Mase's Room

Dahlia released ‘Mila’s My Gagana Series 1’ in 2019 written for pre-school and junior primary school tamaiti. The colourful and engaging tusi faitau have gained more and more young readers since, encouraging the promotion and learning support of gagana Samoa for fanau and faiā`oga.

"Our aim was to create a rich literacy resource that reflects our tamaiti, develops gagana confidence and encourages the use of gagana amongst the first teachers in the lives of our tamaiti.…more

Cover image L-R: MMA & City Kickboxing head coach/co-owner Eugene Bareman, NRL on Nine & Stan Sports presenter Sonny Bill Williams & Ginnen Group Sports agent/manager Zen Ginnen 

By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari 

When we watch sport, we can now see our athletes chanting our war cries, holding our flags and showcasing our traditional tattoo’s and hairdo’s. However, the sporting environment they are in is still very Western and palagi in nature.

Although we have high representation of Maori and Pasifika athletes throughout the sports arena, we are grossly underrepresented in non playing sporting roles. Many coaches, sports media and club boardrooms are formed without Maori & Pasifika people or community consultation.

We are seen internationally in sporting codes such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), Rugby Union, Rugby league and Boxing. However, the sports systems we are in, don’t always reflect us, as they were made without us. Sadder yet, several sporting organisations still continue to operate using our people as merely ‘physical labour’.…more

By Destiny Taulagi Momoiseā

I was one of the lucky ones.

You know the mums who absolutely love being a new mama, with the perfect baby who never cries, who breezes through their leaps and sleeps through the night by 6 weeks. A husband who adores you and your baby, who’s so hands on, he doesn’t let you do any night feeds. That was us, That IS us. A perfect family unit, the lucky ones.

I had the perfect baby, the perfect husband, and the perfect home.

Unfortunately, Postpartum Depression doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t give a shit if your baby is an angel, if your home is a haven of love and unicorns. It doesn’t.

My son was 6 months old when I started to feel really low, 7 months when the panic attacks started and 9 months when I finally told someone about it.…more

via Radio New Zealand 

By Justin Latif, Local Democracy Reporter, 

Cover image by Tina Tiller - A group of young Pacific doctors have been utilising their social media savvy to promote the vaccine and debunk myths. 

-

In an effort to get more Pacific people vaccinated, a group of doctors have taken to TikTok and Instagram to get the message out there.

Singing "vax-a-nation time come on" to the tune of 'Celebration' with a broom handle mic and her kitchen as a backdrop might not make Dr Vanisi Prescott TikTok-famous. But the way the Tongan doctor from Mt Roskill sees it, rejigging Kool and the Gang's classic 80s hit could just be what a vaccine hesitant person needs to see. And Prescott is not the only Auckland medical professional employing these tactics. Prescott is part of a small group of young Pacific doctors utilising their social media savvy and meagre spare time to promote the Covid vaccine and debunk myths.…more

On Sunday 19th June the Samoa Observer published an explicit photo of the deceased body of Jeanine Tuivaiki hanging by a rope from the church rafter, moments after her death by suicide. 

The photo was accompanied by an article referring to her as a man, in a final gesture of derision and disrespect to her identity as a fa'afafine.  

The paper published an apology after widespread outrage and criticism on Monday morning but was deemed unacceptable by most of the community in its lack of sincerity and absurd lack of justification for publishing the photo and article.

Another apology had since been published by the paper after pressure from both the government and local and international community & media, but we ask if this simple printed of words is enough.…more

Described by some as 'Manna from the Sea', 'Black Gold' and the 'Caviar of the Pacific' , the highly sought after Pacific delicacy are found in shallow coral reefs and only rise twice a year - sometimes only once! 

These pacific marine 'worms' are generally reddish-brown (male) or bluish-green (female) and their mating season follows the lunar cycle which is usually the 7th night after a full moon in October.  Sometimes if the mating season hasn't been fruitful the adult palolos will release another set of 'tails' in November.

The catching of the Palolo or "Ta Palolo" in Samoan has to be done in darkness (early hours of the morning) because the palolo will melt in the sunlight.…more